Jon Jones could be facing felony charges.
There is currently no arrest warrant for the UFC light heavyweight champion, but he is suspected to be the perpetrator in a hit-and-run accident Sunday morning in Albuquerque, according to Albuquerque PD. It was initially thought that Jones could face misdemeanor charges, but because the victim in the accident, a pregnant woman in her 20s, broke her arm in the collision, the potential charges have been upgraded to a felony.
Albuquerque Police Department spokesman Tanner Tixier told MMAFighting.com on Monday afternoon that officers are currently working on an arrest warrant. It would also have to be signed by a judge. Because the woman has a broken bone, the charge would now be a felony for leaving the scene of an accident.
On Sunday, APD was incorrect in reporting that the victim of the hit and run, whose name is being withheld, had just minor injuries.
Albuquerque PD is still attempting to make contact with Jones. Tixier said that a local attorney has contacted APD as Jones’ representative, but officers have not confirmed his validity.
A man suspected to be Jones allegedly ran a red light, igniting a three-car accident before noon Sunday. Witnesses said the man fled from his vehicle and jumped over a fence, but not before grabbing a handful of cash, according to the police report. An off-duty police officer at the scene identified the man as MMA star Jon Jones.
Inside the car, an apparent rental, police found a marijuana pipe with marijuana inside it and paperwork with the name “Jonathan Jones” on it. Some of the paperwork made reference to MMA and Nevada, the police report read. The police have tried and failed to contact Jones on multiple occasions since Sunday.
Jones, 27, is still currently slated to defend his title against Anthony Johnson in the main event of UFC 187 on May 23 in Las Vegas.